Theme Parks

The Disneyland Resort issued (and subsequently removed) casting notices for a new ‘high energy group fronted by a female singer with the vocal stylings of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. The group will play and swing to popular standards of the ’30s while interacting with park Guests.’

For the interactive band, the resort is seeking: a string bass and tuba player; a guitar and banjo player (stressing the guitar side); a drummer; a woodwind and tenor sax player with a stress on the sax; and a trumpet player.

Last year, we reported on several new domain names being registered by The Walt Disney Company which we speculated as being attributed to ventures in place by Disney Parks and Resorts. While these sites continue to remain dormant, Disney Parks recently applied for several trademarks which match up quite nicely with those registered domains as well as some new project names of note.

While all of the trademark applications describe the terms as nothing more than ‘Education and entertainment services,’ their names lend themselves to the looming XPass experience in which certain guests will be able to micromanage their Disney vacations months in advance and the fabled ‘NextGen’ project integrating RFID, customizable wristbands that will help customize and cater to individual guests.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 631 and the Service Trades Council Union filed a complaint in Florida Middle District Court against Walt Disney World yesterday over labor hiring practices which they claim are in violation of the then-governing agreement and subsequent mediation rulings.

On Saturday, March 17, join Disney Design Group Artist Randy Noble and Disney Ink and Paint Artists: Erin Magill, Theodora M. DeLaney, David Rippberger, Lynn Rippberger and Sharon K. Vincent as they celebrate the premiere of the Mickey’s Railroad Adventure entry into the Ink and Paint Cel series. The cel invites you to take a trip with Mickey, Minnie and Donald aboard the train.

The cel is hand-painted with an unknown edition size. As an extra bonus, the first 750 framed pieces sold will be accompanied by a matching limited edition pin created for the release.

he Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels has partnered with Walt Disney World® to once again honor outstanding K-12 teachers with its 2012 A+ For Teachers at Downtown Disney essay contest.

The fourth annual contest, which kicks off today and runs through April 13, 2012, asks students in grades 1 through 12 to nominate their favorite teacher by writing a brief essay of no more than 300 words and submitting it via www.downtowndisneyhotels.com. The essay should explain how the teacher has made a difference in the student’s life and will be judged on its relevance to theme, creativity, originality, and the merit of the teacher’s accomplishments as outlined in the essay.

Even if he’s not recognized by name, the most casual of Disney Parks guest is likely to be familiar with the work of ‘multimedia dimensional artist’ Dave Avanzino. Among his prized works include shadowboxed themed signs — such as Disney theme park names or lands — in which the letters are comprised of 3-dimensional paper sculpture ‘objects’ that are related to the theme being spelled out.

Those who attended last year’s Disney D23 Expo may have also met Avanzino himself inside the D23 Dream Store. There, Avanzino was testing out a pilot program in which attendees could commission their own personalized sign and choose from a wide assortment of themed alphabets and mix’n’match for the desired effect.

With a pop of confetti and the drop of a banner from atop the CHOC Children’s construction site, Disneyland Resort yesterday announced a $5 million donation to CHOC in support of the “Change CHOC, Change the World” comprehensive fund-raising campaign.

The gift includes sponsorship of the lobby in the seven-story tower, slated to open in spring 2013. The tower will house new pediatric services and will incorporate the most advanced design and safety principles of any children’s hospital in the country. Disney Imagineers are busy helping to create an inviting lobby space sprinkled with special Disney touches to complement the hospital’s serene healing environment for children and their families.

Disneyland Resort today announced that Earl of Sandwich will open a new location at Downtown Disney in early summer 2012. The restaurant will offer guests a unique, casual-quick dining option while visiting Downtown Disney.

‘We pride ourselves in giving our guests a unique experience at Downtown Disney through different retail and food offerings,’ said Tony Bruno, vice president of Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney. ‘This will be the only Earl of Sandwich in California and it is sure to be a favorite among our guests as it has been at Walt Disney World for nearly eight years.’

Disney D23 has announced it will be offering its members an exclusive experience at the Disneyland Resort on Tuesday, March 6, titled ‘Disneyland Off the Map.’

The event runs all day and includes guided visits to Walt Disney’s private family apartment above the firehouse, a trip around the park aboard the Lilly Belle V.I.P. parlor car on the Disneyland Railroad (weather permitting) and a tour of the Disneyland Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean. Surprises, gifts and ‘very special dinner (and drinks) inside one of the resort’s most unique restaurants’ are also included in the event.

With what was initially slated to be a week-or-so closure for the Liberty Square riverboat at the Magic Kingdom is now turning into a multi-month closure. The official Walt Disney World website is now reporting that the Liberty Belle attraction will now re-open on May 21, 2012. The announcement comes a day after the attraction had closed for its refurbishment.

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be the first to know when changes that potentially affect your trip occur by signing up with ReSearch! The only Disney Parks refurbishment schedule that covers attractions, dining and resorts, lets you drill down to your own specific dates and even emails you when your dates are affected — and it’s completely free!